TMS BLIF Update
May 8, 2015
Duties
Announcements
Tentative Testing Schedule
Summer Transition Camp for Rising 6th Graders
The TMS web site has been updated with camp information. Please encourage parents to register online. It is the best way to get accurate information from the parents.
Click here for flyer.Click here for online registration.
Math Resources
http://marybourassa.blogspot.com/?_sm_au_=iHVQZ8kJk1D8Z0R0
Site full of patterns - great for kids that need some enrichment. http://www.visualpatterns.org/teachers.html
“Nix the Tricks” is written by Tina Cardone and other members of the MTBoS (MathTwitterBlogosphere). It is full of those well-meaning shortcuts we sometimes give kids which hinder their deep conceptual understanding of mathematics.Reminders
US Department of Education/RttT Visit on Monday
The district has been asked to host the Carolina Personnel Exchange Network (PEN) meeting for the U.S. Department of Education on May 11th. Representatives from the U.S. Dept. Ed. along with grantee teams from several other N.C. & S.C. LEAs will be attending the meeting. The visitors are interested in seeing how teachers are implementing Blended Learning in their classrooms. They are also interested in how BLCs are working with teachers to help them implement the Blended Learning model of instruction. On May 11th, from 1:30 to 3:00pm, four (5-6 member) teams of guests will be visiting classrooms at TMS.
Computer Collection
- All computers will be reimaged over the summer so students will lose anything saved to the computer, if they don't back-up their files to Google Docs, or to a usb drive.
- In your classrooms, probably homeroom, students will get a pair of gloves and a clorox wipe to clean the outside case, the power cords, and the power brick only. They will also use a microfiber cloth to clean the inside of the computer. (No wet wipe on the inside.) This must be done before the computer is turned in. I will be providing the above items.
- I will schedule times for each teacher to bring a class to the media center to return the computers.
- Students will have their laptops inspected (using a district checklist). If their computer and backpack is undamaged, we will collect it and hold it over the summer. If it is damaged, they will be sent to a different area, where the damage can be assessed and bills will be issued for the damages. All power cords and duck heads have to be returned to be considered undamaged.
- All 6th and 7th grade computers will be stored in bins of 10 by alphabetical order, with a ziplock bag containing their power cords. Students will receive the same computer in the fall that they had all this year. 8th grade student computers will be sent to their high school.
- In order to complete these tasks quickly and efficiently, I will probably need your help during your planning, on collection day. I will let you know more about that at a later date.
Professional Development Opportunities
IMPACT It Thursdays
May 14: (TNL#12624) Wrapping It Up: Using apps to create assessments & review activities
May 28: (#12625) A Fresh Start: Using apps and tools to create organizational tools for back-to-school preparation.